Indio Shooting Leaves Man In Critical Condition

A shooting four doors down from her apartment on Valencia Avenue in Indio may not surprise Monique Ortiz.

“This isn’t a very good street to live on. A few things have happened here already, so it just makes it worse,” Monique Ortiz said.

However, it’s still enough to make a big decision for her family.

“It’s usually something happens and they retaliate. I don’t think it’s over with. I think I’m going to have to move from here. That’s way too close,” Ortiz said.

Police are looking for a man suspected in a shooting during an argument that left the 41-year-old victim in critical condition. Officers say two couples were arguing when one suspect involved drew a handgun and shoot a man in the neck. Friends took him to the hospital.

The suspect fled the scene. Witnesses say it was Jesse Martin Gonzalez, a parolee at large and wanted for assault with a deadly weapon.

“Worried and scared. You never know what’s going to happen,” Ortiz noted.

In her neighborhood, that’s the case. As far as the victim, though, Ortiz and another neighbor say all good things.

“We always get along good. We kick back, drink beers together now and then. There’s a couple of us over here we all hang out,” neighbor Richard said.

“He’s a good guy, good guy. Honestly, he doesn’t even have enemies I know of, so that’s why it’s kind of crazy,” Ortiz said. “We’re always right here hanging out because he fixes stuff around here and helps. That’s how I got close to him.”

Now she says her home isn’t safe anymore, though. So, as police search for the suspect, she’ll start packing her bags.